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This guide is a home-care support tool. It does not replace personalized advice from your veterinarian. For any questions, contact us at 514-223-1197.
Coughing is not normal
A cough in a dog or cat almost always deserves to be evaluated by a veterinarian, to find the cause. The one real exception: a dog that coughs only when pulling very hard on its leash, since pressure on the windpipe can make even a perfectly healthy dog cough.
In dogs
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Chronic bronchitis (older dogs)
- Tracheal collapse
- Kennel cough (contagious)
In cats
- Asthma (allergic airway disease), by far the most common
- Less often: parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies
Acute or chronic?
An acute cough lasts 1 to 2 weeks (or less) and often resolves on its own or with treatment. A chronic cough lasts more than 2 weeks and usually points to a lasting condition. Either way, it all starts with identifying the cause.
The signs that call for an immediate call
The cough alone is rarely dangerous. But certain breathing signs are emergencies: do not wait.
A cat breathing open-mouthed: emergency
If your cat starts breathing with its mouth open, like a panting dog, it is often an emergency. Call us or an emergency clinic immediately, without waiting.
- Labored, fast, or anxious breathing, or marked effort to breathe (dogs and cats alike).
- Gums that are white, very pale pink, or bluish, instead of a normal pink.
- A cough accompanied by respiratory distress or marked discomfort.
A panting dog is often normal
In dogs, open-mouth panting can be perfectly normal (heat, exercise, excitement). What should worry you is the effort to breathe or distress, not the panting itself.
Cough or reverse sneeze?
A reverse sneeze looks alarming, but it is almost always harmless, and it is easily mistaken for a cough. Here is how to tell them apart.
A true cough
It can continue even if you gently open the mouth. It reflects an irritation of the airways and deserves a veterinary opinion.
A reverse sneeze
Loud, sudden sounds, close to snorting, in a standing dog that seems to sniff and gag at once. Alarming, but almost always harmless.
The simple test, and film it
During the episode, gently open your dog's mouth: a cough can continue, a reverse sneeze stops right away. Also film a short clip with sound and show it to us: that is often what speeds up the diagnosis.
Reducing triggers
Airborne particles can trigger or worsen a cough. Reducing the source sometimes cures a cough, and often relieves chronic ones.
The most common triggers
- House dust
- Tobacco smoke
- Volatile odors: cedar shavings, carpet deodorizers
- Pollens (depending on the season)
- Mold spores
Improving the environment
- Ventilate the home well (adequate airflow).
- Keep the humidity right, around 50 to 60 percent.
- Add an air purifier with HEPA filtration.
- Stop smoking indoors.
- Dust the areas where dust builds up.
Good for the whole family
These measures help people too. Dogs and cats live close to the floor, where particles (including smoke) settle: their cough can be an early warning that the air needs clearing.
During a fit, and medications
Here is what to do during a fit, and what to know about medications.
Let the fit run its course
It is often best to let the animal finish the fit, sometimes down to a final gag that can bring up a little foam or bile. The cough alone is rarely dangerous.
A bit of fresh air
Letting your pet breathe outdoor air can sometimes quickly soothe a fit.
Medications, based on the cause
If the cough comes from a serious lung or heart problem, it is the daily treatment of the cause that will ease it. Persistent coughs that do not affect the general state may benefit from antitussives, bronchodilators, or other support. Ask us when to give them and how to adjust doses during a flare.
Never a human syrup without our okay
Some pediatric cough syrups can occasionally be used, but only on the strict recommendation of your veterinarian: several contain substances like acetaminophen (paracetamol), highly toxic to cats, and sometimes to dogs. Never give a human medication on your own, and keep all medications out of reach of children.
Your questions, our answers
What owners ask us most about coughing.
How long should I wait before calling you if my pet starts coughing?
Are there different types of cough?
My cat sometimes makes awful coughing or gagging sounds. Is it an emergency?
Does cigarette smoke at home play a role?
Find the cause, and breathe easier
A cough is a signal: almost always, it is worth finding the cause. By reducing irritants at home and following your veterinarian's treatment, most coughs settle. A recheck lets us track progress; and at the slightest sign of trouble breathing, it is an emergency. We are here.